How Motul makes its engine oil: immersive factory tour

Since we started out, we've used Motul oils almost exclusively, for the simple reason that they've proved their worth. In our company vehicles as well as in our drift projects or customer vehicles, oils such as Xclean, 300V or MotulEvo fluids have always held up well. On some vans, we've even exceeded 800,000 km without a worry. This consistent reliability has consolidated our confidence in the brand, whether for intensive everyday use or in the extreme conditions of motor racing.

stage 1: raw materials management

It all starts with the arrival of the materials in huge vats. For some top-of-the-range oils, such as 300V, the recipe can involve up to 20 different ingredients, including temperature-sensitive polymers. Each ingredient is accurately weighed using mass meters. The materials are then routed through a network of intelligently connected pipes, with each ingredient entering a rigorously defined recipe to ensure consistent quality.

stage 2: mixing in the blenders

The ingredients are then mixed in gigantic blenders, comparable to industrial Thermomix machines. These tanks can hold between 4,500 and 9,500 litres. The valves and flows are controlled from a control room, where each valve is assigned a code to ensure total traceability. The whole process is fully automated to avoid human error, with constant supervision by specialist technicians.

stage 3: Laboratory checks

Before packaging, each batch of oil is taken and tested in the laboratory. Density, presence of metals, chemical stability... all the parameters are analysed. If a value is outside the norm, we adjust it. Nothing leaves the factory without validation. The laboratory plays an essential role in the quality assurance of the final product. Extensive testing ensures compliance with international standards and the most demanding specifications.

stage 4: packaging

The empty cans (1L, 4L, 5L, etc.) are sent to the filling lines. The oil is injected, the cap is screwed on with a precise torque (8 Nm), the label is applied, and each can is weighed to guarantee the right quantity. Even better: there's often a little more oil than expected. This process is adapted to different formats, thanks to modular tooling that enables rapid changeover from one format to another, with a production rate of up to 9,000 cans per hour.

stage 5: traceability and dispatch

Each can is given a unique batch number. The cans are then boxed, palletised, shrink-wrapped and stored before being dispatched to the warehouses. Nothing is left to chance, right down to the final labelling of the carton to ensure product traceability. Everything is then sent to Motul's logistics network, which serves competition professionals as well as independent garages and specialist distributors.

Beyond the factory, Motul supports us in all our competition projects. Drift, automatic gearbox maintenance, steering oil, RBF 700 for braking: all the fluids are validated in real-life conditions. This collaboration goes beyond a simple customer-supplier relationship: it's based on a solid technical partnership, exchanging feedback from the field and technical innovations. Motul listens to our needs and adapts its solutions to guarantee performance and reliability both on the track and on the road.

Conclusion

Behind a simple can of oil lies a complex and rigorous industrial process. This level of rigour is the reason why Shiftech continues to place its trust in Motul for all its projects, from everyday use to competition. This visit reminds us that engine oil is not a trivial product: it determines the lifespan and performance of the engine. By choosing a manufacturer like Motul, you are choosing French industrial excellence.

To find out more about the Motul oils and additives available from Shiftech, visit our online shop or contact our experts for personalised assistance.